Chapter Text
The seemingly endless corridors hidden within the Castle held an expanse of winding halls, a maze of rooms that would be rather difficult to navigate for one unfamiliar with the building’s layout. Though it was not a challenge for the prince. He had memorized every nook and cranny long ago, having grown up within these walls. He knew every detail like the back of his hand. He’d practically spent his whole life inside, after all. His rather pale complexion reflecting that.
He wished that weren’t the case.
His father had grown cold over the years, threats from the neighboring kingdom only adding fuel into the fire that is his overprotectiveness. Which in turn caused Stargazer to grow restless. Rebellious, even.
Every night, he’d sneak out into the garden do the very thing he had been named after. Gaze at the stars painted across the sky, the sprawling galaxies shining ever brighter, calling to him. He wasn’t allowed to be outside very often, especially not past his curfew, but he rarely abided by the rules put in place. He needed time alone; some reprieve from his boring duties. So, he learned how to slip in and out of the castle undetected, managing to secure around an hour to himself every evening before inevitably having to return.
At least, he used to before his father assigned him his own personal knight. He thinks babysitter is a more fitting description, even though they are just about the same age.
Follower, they called him. The name suited him well considering he never leaves him alone. No matter where he went, how fast he ran, or how well he hid, he always managed to find him. His Follower was strange, too. Piercing white eyes, a halo-like disk floating around his right horn, his large wings… He rarely spoke, only ever doing so to chide Stargazer for breaking the rules or to repeat instructions.
Honestly, he was quite a thorn in his side.
He wasn’t afraid to voice his annoyance. He’d complained to his father several times, but he refused to budge. When he realized that wouldn’t work, he resorted to ranting about his frustrations to the very cause of his ire. Pacing around back and forth, he’d ramble on about how his father just doesn’t get it, how he’s strong enough to be on his own, how he doesn’t need the Knight’s help. Follower would always remain silent, looking at Stargazer with a gaze so intense it seemed like he was looking through him rather than at him.
He didn’t understand him.
Heels clicking against the smooth stone as he climbed his tower’s staircase, his Follower trailed close behind, heavy armor clinking with each step. Once they emerged at the top, he turned around to face his knight. Follower said nothing, listless gaze perpetually locked onto his.
Today had been long and tiring, as they all were. Most of it had been spent studying French, proper social etiquette, perfect posture… The usual boring royal stuff. Then of course, he was forced to come downstairs and attend another ball, an event that had become quite a chore to him. He never got to participate in any of the enjoyable parts like dancing or eating the fancy sweets, having to basically sit still and look pretty on a throne next to his fathers. With how many hours that whole ordeal dragged on for, he didn’t even have time for his usual tea break!
He was in desperate need of some fun. If he could just get a few minutes to himself…
“Follower.”
Said demon perked up immediately, straightening his posture as he awaited instructions.
Stargazer furrowed his brows as he thought about what he should ask of him. It needed to be a task that would be tedious, one that would keep him distracted long enough for him to slip away before he returned.
“… I need you to retrieve something for me. It seems I have lost one of my favourite earrings, and the last place I recall having them on was the basement.”
He wandered over to his vanity as he spoke, opening his jewelry box. Carefully picking up the one he still had, he walked back over to where Follower rigidly stood, holding the tiny earring out in the palm of his hand for him to examine.
“It should look like this; shaped like a crescent moon.”
Follower wordlessly took the earring from him, narrowing his eyes at the object, before turning around and heading back downstairs. Stargazer held his breath as he heard his footsteps draw farther away, a massive sigh of relief escaping his lips once he was sure he was out of earshot.
First things first, he needed a way outside. Pacing around back and forth, he weighed his options. He could try his usual escape route, but with the increased security, he would likely be caught…
Ah. His balcony.
He immediately put his plan (if you can even call an impulsive idea a plan) into action, scrambling over to his walk-in closet. Snatching up as many bedsheets and blankets as he could find, he began rolling them up and tying the ends together, creating a make-shift rope. Guess those knot tying lessons he was forced to take weren’t useless!
Would it hold? He had no idea, but he doesn’t have time to second guess himself.
Tip-toeing over to his balcony, he cringed at the creaking noise the door made as he slowly swung it open, silently praying it wouldn’t alert anyone. Slow steps carried him towards the golden banisters; the rope quickly being tied around one of the beams.
Grimacing, he pushed himself up over the railing, nearly slipping off before his hands found purchase.
Ugh, if he fell, he’d never hear the end of it.
He had to keep moving, though. Sucking air through his teeth, he slid down the rope, squeezing his eyes shut the entire way down. Soon, his feet landed on the earth, the grass crunching softly beneath him.
Ha, easy!
The next step was to scale the defensive curtain wall surrounding the castle. He took a few steps back before charging towards the stone wall, hoping the head start would be enough to boost himself up.
It wasn’t. He slipped, falling back onto his rear with a thud.
Ouch.
Dusting himself off with a groan, he stood back up. He slipped off his satin gloves, carelessly tossing them behind him before attempting the climb again. This time, he managed to find a good grip on the rough rocks protruding from the stone, using them as leverage to boost him all the way up to the top. With a grunt, he clumsily pushed himself over the edge, quickly jumping down onto the other side with a grin.
He did it! But… What now?
He didn’t really think he’d get this far, so he doesn’t have any destination in mind.
Moonlight slipped through the gaps in the foliage ahead, the thick forest thrumming with flora. Shrugging, he began walking, glancing around his surroundings as he did so. The cool breeze nipped at his nose, eliciting a shiver from his being.
May as well enjoy his temporary freedom and see how far he can get with this, right?
.
.
.
Well, Stargazer knows two things for sure. The first is that he’s completely lost. The second is that the sky looks amazing out here!
Lying on his back in an open grassy field, he had become completely mesmerised by the beautiful patterns the constellations formed. The way the colours seemed to dance and swirl together, creating an imperfect symphony of light was captivating to the prince.
So much so that he failed to notice the footsteps drawing near.
The perpetrators iron-clad boots planted themselves firmly into the ground, coming to a stop just about a meter away. The cyan demon reached behind himself, unsheathing the shiny sword he carried on his back. The clinking of his heavy armor was enough to finally alert the prince of his presence, gasping as he spotted him from the corner of his eye just as he began to swing his blade toward him.
He managed to roll away from his death just in time, the sharp edge just barely grazing his sleeve. Quickly stumbling to his feet, his expression contorted into one of horror as he recognized who his attacker was.
Egobworder.
He had heard stories of him for years, but he had always thought they were tales simply meant to scare him. Windforce’s most beloved disciple, a ruthless soldier who goes from village to village, taking over territory without so much as a drop of mercy.
“Would ya like me to make it quick, or are we gonna do this the hard way?”
He didn’t bother answering, immediately spinning around and running in the opposite direction.
“Alright, hard way it is!”
Ego laughed, eagerly giving chase. Stargazer was going as fast as his feet would carry him, but no matter how hard he exerted himself, he just couldn’t seem to lose him! He didn’t even seem to be breaking a sweat, easily keeping up with the prince’s pace. Gasping for air at this point, he pushed himself past his limits, his heart pounding in his ears so loudly it distorted all the other sounds around him.
And then, because his luck wasn’t terrible enough already, he rolled his ankle.
A cry tore from his throat as he tumbled to the ground, landing on his side. Hissing from the pain, he tried sitting up, only to completely freeze when a blade was pointed directly at his neck. Ego stared down at him, a smile plastered across his scared face, before he once again began raising his sword high into the air.
Stargazer squeezed his eyes shut, body tensing as he braced for the impact.
This is it, isn’t it? He’s going to die. He’s going to die alone all because he was too stupid and stubborn. He should have listened. But it’s too late now, he’ll never-
CLINK!
…What?
Hesitantly opening his eyes, he was greeted with an armoured back, his saviors blade drawn after presumably deflecting the attack. Long hair flowing in the wind, the demon took a defensive stance in front of the prince, pointing his sword at Ego stiffly. The feathers of his wings appeared rather ruffled, breathing coming out in soft pants.
Wait, wings?
“… Follower?”
His knight glanced at him over his shoulder before turning his attention back to the threat.
Ego appeared startled for a moment before his smile returned, head tilting to the side as he looked his new opponent up and down, “Ah, you match the description they gave me quite well.”
Follower narrowed his eyes, grip tightening on his sword’s handle.
“I’m sure you’re eager to tear me apart, but that duel will have to wait for another day. He’s not the only target on my list tonight, and I’d rather not waste my precious time in a stand still with you when I could be bludgeoning some brains.” He mused as he sheathed his blade, taking a step back, “Another time, yeah?”
How could someone speak so casually about slaughtering demons?!
Follower kept his expression as schooled and stoic as he could manage, gaze locked onto Ego as he walked away, footsteps growing quieter in the distance. And even still, he didn’t move until he was sure the threat was gone, disappearing from their line of sight. Eventually, his knight let out a long exhale, sheathing his sword back onto his hip before turning around to tend to his prince.
Follower crouched down in front of him, looking at Stargazer with… Concern? Worry? Attentiveness?
He had hardly ever seen him display emotion, so to see him let some slip through, especially one as tender as care was surprising to say the least. The knight’s hand gingerly cupped the princes face, thumb sweeping over a small cut he had sustained on his cheek. Though Follower’s gloved hands were cold, the action brought warmth to his cheeks with a feeling he dares not describe.
“Mine prince, are thou alright?”
His throat felt too tight to respond in a proper manner, humming out a simple, “Mhm,” as Follower continued meticulously examining him for injuries.
He could only imagine how pathetic he looked right now.
Trembling like a leaf from the aftereffects of the adrenaline, his eyes remained blown wide, mouth slightly ajar. His hair, usually curly and well kept, had become messy and loose from the wind. Not to mention his suit. It was one of his favourites, a royal blue that shimmered and sparkled under the moonlight. Now torn and tattered, splotches of dirt speckled along the side he fell on.
He’s going to get an earful when he gets home…
Follower retracted his hand slowly, bringing it back to himself to open one of his belt bags. Brows furrowing as he dug around for whatever he was looking for until his expression relaxed, pulling out an item Stargazer instantly recognized. His earrings, both in the palm of his Knights hand, having successfully completed his task. The sight honestly sent a pang of guilt through his heart. The realization that despite tricking him, despite constantly pushing him away, he would still lay down his life for the prince…
Before the Stargazer could even think to stop himself, he blurted out, “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”, he parroted, tilting his head with genuine confusion, “Thou hast done no wrong.”
“But I have!”, he insisted, “I have been terribly cross with you when you have done nothing but protect me, a-and I deceived you, and I’ve just caused nothing but trouble for you, yet– “His expression crumpled, crying in earnest now, “Yet you’d still save me. I just– I don’t understand! Why!?”
Blinking owlishly, Follower appeared stunned, not expecting the sudden outburst.
The prince’s bottom lip quivered from choked back sobs, wiping furiously at his eyes. The lack of response from the knight left the torrent of unanswered questions and emotions to swell in his mind. He felt helpless, unable to stop the tears pouring out of him. He hated it. He hated the overwhelming sorrow crashing over him, creating a suffocating pit in his stomach. He wished he were angry right now instead. At least then he wouldn’t feel so cold, the fire in his heart that fueled his explosive temper always keeping him warm.
But right now, it felt as if it had been extinguished. Leaving him shivering and scared.
Armored arms wrapped around his body, lifting him up as Follower rose to his feet. Cradling Stargazer as gently as he could manage, he began walking, speed gradually increasing. Sniffling, he leaned his head against the cool metal on the knight’s chest, the ground growing further away as Follower’s wings lifted them to the sky.
At least the view was nice. The stars seemed to brighten just for him.
It didn’t take long for the castle to come into view below, the familiar hill his home sat atop of being instantly recognized. Stargazer stiffened as they lowered down to the earth, immediately spotting his father pacing around right in front of the entrance, though he froze once he noticed the pair. Follower landed shortly after, setting the prince down on his feet to reunite with the king.
He swallowed the lump in his throat as his father approached, preparing for the longest lecture of his life.
Instead, Zuka pulled him into a tight hug (as tight as once could manage with one arm), a shaky sigh leaving his lips before he whispered, “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
Stargazer quickly returned the embrace, burying his face into his shoulder.
Safe to say he would be grounded for awhile after this…